E.L. wrote:
The thing about Holland and other GMs is up until two weeks ago, bullying behaviour from boobs like Babcock was considered the norm, just that no one talked about the particulars of that sort of abusive behaviour or rationalized how insane it sounds to outsiders. The entire structure of Hockey Canada is based on an ideal of coach and mentor who treats his gig like the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket. Up until two weeks ago, the Babcocks and Peters of this world weren't demonized, they were heroes! Holland is just one of many cogs in this incredibly fucked up way of thinking that has poisoned the game from the inside. That's why Don Cherry was on TV every week. It's why Canadian hockey teams don't win the Cup. It's why Good Boys like Crosby and McDavid shut their mouths and do nothing to promote the game, while a black hockey player like Subban gets treated like a pariah for showing any charisma. Hockey has held on to a way of thinking that has long been proven morally reprehensible.
Well said. I'm still skeptical that any real change will occur (hey, lookit who's in charge of USA Hockey FFS) but it is encouraging that these stories are coming out and people are reacting to them properly, though there will always be a lunatic fringe of MAGA-type asswipes who think this is perfectly normal behavior.
Dan Carcillo has to be the most feared man in hockey circles right now because he's gathering testimonials and they've come rushing in.